[Glen e]

Your chances of a good install are increased if the installer is using A PATTERN cut specially for this car. Xpel does. The new Camaro is a very hard car to use film.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by Glen e

Your chances of a good install are increased if the installer is using A PATTERN cut specially for this car. Xpel does. The new Camaro is a very hard car to use film.

Yes, I've heard the new ZL1 can be a difficult install.

[HDRDTD]

When I bought my 2013 ZL1, the clear bra installer recommended it get applied to the portions of the car most likely to get chips, such as the front facia (NOT the front splitter since it's not painted). the mirrors (since they stick way out in the airstream), and the gill area.

Of course you can go as far as you'd like with it perhaps including the entire hood, but don't do 'half' the hood. Consider that the clear bra has to end somewhere, and ending at a natural body gap is preferable from an appearance point of view.
If you extend it up half the hood, you'll end up with a line where it ends that will be apt to collect polish/wax build-up.

Either way, it's probably the best investment I ever made.

[Capisce]

What kind of prices are you guys looking at for xpel or the like

[DDP98]

Originally Posted by HDRDTD

When I bought my 2013 ZL1, the clear bra installer recommended it get applied to the portions of the car most likely to get chips, such as the front facia (NOT the front splitter since it's not painted). the mirrors (since they stick way out in the airstream), and the gill area.

Of course you can go as far as you'd like with it perhaps including the entire hood, but don't do 'half' the hood. Consider that the clear bra has to end somewhere, and ending at a natural body gap is preferable from an appearance point of view.
If you extend it up half the hood, you'll end up with a line where it ends that will be apt to collect polish/wax build-up.

Either way, it's probably the best investment I ever made.

I agree. The film does its job preventing chips and am very happy with the results on my cars.

Originally Posted by Capisce

What kind of prices are you guys looking at for xpel or the like

Here in the Bay Area, a good application will run around 2k. For the ZL1, using either Xpel or Suntek I was quoted $2200 and that included the full front, full hood, mirrors, head lights, door cups and the fender by the rear wheels (similar to what you see on Porsche's and the BMW M4). Some places will be a few hundred less, but as someone said in this thread, application and experience are paramount. A poorly installed film looks terrible and can be spotted a mile away. On another note, I was told that Xpel and Suntek are excellent films and that Xpel is slightly thicker and thus very minimally more noticeable than Suntek. I have Xpel on my Roadster and have zero complaints; totally worth the investment.

Originally Posted by Glen e

Don't ever confuse a nano ceramic coating with paint protection film. They are two different animals. No type of coating can protect your car against rocks like a film can do. Ceramic coatings are to keep the car from getting swirled and minor scratches that are hard to see. I personally think, having used both many times, it's ridiculous to put a ceramic over a film, a simple sealant works fine. Where you don't apply paint protection film, put on the ceramic.

Yes. It's so important to understand the difference. Ceramic coatings are meant to keep that brilliant shine after the full paint correction by the shop. Once applied, it doesn't prevent chips, but it does help with cleaning maintenance, swirls and water shedding.

[THell]

Here is what I had installed on my 2017 Summit White ZL1

Clear Bra - Lumar
A pillars
Front Bumper
Roof back to Sunroof
Hood, Fenders back to windshield
Mirrors
Headlights
Full Rocker Panels
Quarter Panels Lower

9H Ceramic Coating
4 Coats over bare paint
1 Coat Light over clear bra areas
2 Coats Wheels

Well worth the expense!

[neenja_jenkins]

So, reading this thread, it seems some kind of PPF is the way to go.

Got a quote for XPEL Ultimate - Front, hood, headlights, rockers, and 1/4 panel(s) from a clear bra installer here in Dallas, and he's quoting me $3200, which going off some of the prices here, seems a bit steep.

Do that seem high to you guys?

[Glen e]

Originally Posted by neenja_jenkins

So, reading this thread, it seems some kind of PPF is the way to go.

Got a quote for XPEL Ultimate - Front, hood, headlights, rockers, and 1/4 panel(s) from a clear bra installer here in Dallas, and he's quoting me $3200, which going off some of the prices here, seems a bit steep.

Do that seem high to you guys?

You should be able to get this car done for 1800 bucks or less.....That would be front, and part of the hood, the sides, don't let them sell you more protection than you need ....things like the sides of the car, roof etcdon't need PPF.

See the XPELwebsite .......they tell you the authorized installers are.

But don't drink all the Kool-Aid about the protection film. In about three or four years when it looks ratty , it's hard to get off, and I don't like it because I don't get the gloss out of the car. A simple polymer sealant, a coating and or touch up paint is also a fine way to go , unless you're in rocky environments like living on a back road, etc.

[neenja_jenkins]

Originally Posted by Glen e

You should be able to get this car done for 1800 bucks or less.....

But don't drink all the Kool-Aid about the protection film. In about three or four years when it looks ratty , it's hard to get off,

Thanks for the reply Glen e.
Yeah, 3k+ seemed quite a bit higher than others have said.
I went Opti-coat last time, and it just did not protect enough. My front bumper looks pretty beat up, and in particular I have a lot of chips on the rear 3/4 panel. So what do you recommend?

I'm really concerned about the glossy black rockers/lip. Matte black hides abuse pretty well. But these gloss black parts are going to look rough pretty fast unless I find a way to protect them.

Originally Posted by Glen e

...and I don't like it because I don't get the gloss out of the car

Do you mean the PPF makes the car look less glossy?

[samsumon]

Originally Posted by Sven59

On my 5th gen I have the entire front clip, in front of hood, A pillars, mirrors and behind front wheels below door and up covering gills. No rock chips anywhere.

As someone who just clipped his side mirror pulling into a garage the other day, i wish i did this lol.

thank god its not that bad.. so whatever

[theproskater]

Originally Posted by DDP98

Here in the Bay Area, a good application will run around 2k. For the ZL1, using either Xpel or Suntek I was quoted $2200 and that included the full front, full hood, mirrors, head lights, door cups and the fender by the rear wheels (similar to what you see on Porsche's and the BMW M4). Some places will be a few hundred less, but as someone said in this thread, application and experience are paramount. A poorly installed film looks terrible and can be spotted a mile away. On another note, I was told that Xpel and Suntek are excellent films and that Xpel is slightly thicker and thus very minimally more noticeable than Suntek. I have Xpel on my Roadster and have zero complaints; totally worth the investment.

I also live in the Bay Area and I'm curious which shop gave you that quote? I've been looking for a good place to get some paint protection installed on the ZL1. Thanks!

[Dwille]

Has anyone used, or seen the 3M Pro paint protection film that GM sells as an accessory?

[KLR ZL1]

Originally Posted by Dwille

Has anyone used, or seen the 3M Pro paint protection film that GM sells as an accessory?

3M is good but not the best. I had 3M on my 5G ZL1 and after about 2-3 years I had to replace do to it yellowing from pollution. Other than that it worked great and protected from what could have been a costly repaint on my front bumper. Just remember if you order it on your car the dealer has someone come out and install it. It's not done at the factory, so who knows how good the installer will be.

[Infern0]

Originally Posted by KLR ZL1

3M is good but not the best. I had 3M on my 5G ZL1 and after about 2-3 years I had to replace do to it yellowing from pollution. Other than that it worked great and protected from what could have been a costly repaint on my front bumper. Just remember if you order it on your car the dealer has someone come out and install it. It's not done at the factory, so who knows how good the installer will be.

I just searched for this topic for this exact answer. I was curious to know how the dealer installed option, which seems like a far better price than what I've read on XPEL so far, would compare to the other market options. The possibility of discoloration sounds terrible.

Thanks for the information.